27. But there is danger of expanding my treatise too far and
becoming burdensome to the reader; it is sufficient that in the
passages I have cited he speaks of Origen as almost an Apostle and a
teacher of the churches, and says that it is not because of his novel
doctrines as the mad dogs pretend that the senate 472of Rome is excited against
him; that he follows him because he himself and all the wise approve
him; and all the other testimonies, adduced from his prefaces which are
inserted above. But, however these matters may stand, and whatever your
relations may be to these writers whether ancient or modern, and
whether you call them Apostles or mere wantons,29832983 Venerarios, belonging to Venus or love. It might mean
‘beloved ones.’ Prophets or perverse teachers, what
is that to me? It is for you to do penance for all your changes of
opinion, your violent words and the wounds you have inflicted on good
men, whether you have yet done so or not. As for myself, what is the
meaning of your saying “If they have followed me when I erred,
let them follow me also in my amendment?” Get thee behind me! Far
be such a thing from me. I never followed you or any other man in your
errors, but in the strength of Christ I will follow, not you nor any
other man, but the Catholic church. But you, who have written all these
things who have followed those whom you knew to be in error, you who,
as I have shewn, have written so unworthily of God, go you, I say, and
do penance, if at least you have any hope that your crime of blasphemy
can be pardoned.